Community-based agricultural project - Quebec government grants financial assistance of more than $730,000 to Jardins André Carbonneau

QUÉBEC CITY, QC - The Quebec government is granting financial assistance of more than $730,000 to Jardins André Carbonneau for the expansion and modernization of its facilities.

The MNA for Maskinongé, Simon Allaire, made the announcement on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region, André Lamontagne.

In addition to building new greenhouses, the Jardins André Carbonneau project consists in replacing the oil-fired heating system with an electric system that will provide the energy needed to heat the entire production complex. It also includes the installation of a recovery and recirculation system for nutrient solutions in the greenhouse. This will prevent nutrient losses to the environment and reduce the quantity of water needed for the production of ornamental plants.

The amounts awarded are from the following programs:

• Quebec greenhouse business development support program: $600,000
• Quebec departmental initiative for vegetation productivity: $35,187
• Quebec departmental initiative for greenhouse and large tunnel development: $45,092

The project also received $125,000 in funding through the Prime-Vert program, component 1, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, an agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec. The Government of Canada is funding 60% of this amount and the Government of Quebec 40%.